The Office proposes that 60% of its projected cash surplus in 2023 is transferred to the RFPSS. This means that EURO 240 m should be transferred to RFPSS. However, since 2021 actual pensions paid exceeds the total amount of contributions, the so-called Pension scheme deficit. In 2023 the Pension scheme deficit is expected to reach EURO 27m. This deficit is funded by the Office and therefore the Office proposes to deduct this amount from the amount envisaged for transfer to RFPSS. Thus the transfer to RFPSS will amount to EURO 213m (EURO 240 -27) the total amount of the transfer will be allocated to the Pension Reserve Fund.
Since 2009 all new staff are covered by the new Pension System. To provide a comparable situation for these employees, it is proposed to transfer an amount proportional to the suggested transfer to the RFPSS into the SSP. This transfer amounts to EURO 4.8m.
Final decision rests with the Administrative Council and will be on the agenda for its December meeting.
Curt Edfjäll
Chairman of the Association
Increased Contribution rate for the Long Term Care Insurance (LTC)
Following the actuarial study the Office proposes to increase the contribution for LTC from 1,5% to 1,8%, or the same level as it was from 2022. Applying the rule of the Office paying 2/3 of the premium and staff/pensioners paying 1/3 of the premium, this results in an increase of 0,1% being deducted from the basic pension paid.
The net effect for the pensions being paid is thus nil, since the contribution for the Healthcare Insurance is reduced by 0,1% and the contribution for the LTC increases by 0,1%.
New lower Contribution rate for the Healthcare insurance from 1 January 2024.
The 2023 Actuarial Study has been finalised and presented to Office Management. One of the recommendations in the study concerns the contribution to finance the Healthcare Insurance. The actuaries conclude the Healthcare Insurance can be financed with a total contribution 9.6%, down from the present 9.9%. This results in a small reduction of the contribution levied from pensioners (and active staff) of 0.1%, so the resulting new contribution will be 3.15% of the basic pension.
Of interest for all recipients of Pension for Health Reasons (PHR) who were entitled to an invalidity allowance before 2015 is the contribution rate to the “Old pension System.” The Actuaries recommendation is to reduce the contribution rate from 33,6% to 32,1%. The contribution from staff and recipients of PHR will amount to 10,7%.
The Office has already indicated that it intends to follow the recommendations made by the Actuaries. However, a final decision will have to be taken by the Administrative Council at its meeting in December 2023.
Cigna will be available in the Hague on 14 september 2023 for personal interviews
To enhance further the service provided to EPO staff, Cigna offers personal interviews on a regular basis. The purpose of these individual meetings is to offer all colleagues the opportunity to discuss their individual cases and get answers to specific questions regarding their medical insurance coverage.
For example, you can ask the Cigna experts what treatment options are covered to which extent by the EPO healthcare insurance, or you can discuss the details of a settlement note for a treatment you or a family member recently had. Cigna will also be able to explain for which treatments it is advisable to get prior approval and how they could issue a guarantee of payment prior to the treatment date if this is needed by the medical provider.
Appointments of 15 minutes per person are available and can take place either in person or virtually (phone or video).
Thursday 14 September 2023 from 9.00 to 16.00 hrs in The Hague, Room SH-S0.12.
To arrange an appointment with Cigna, please contact them directly via email. You will then receive confirmation of your appointment from Cigna, along with the exact time.
The phone interviews will be conducted with the same level of confidentiality as face-to-face personal meetings.
FRANCE – Tables of equivalence 2023 (revenue 2022) – confirmed
We have received the following information from the Office:
Please be informed that the tables of equivalence for France (income 2022) have been confirmed by DGFIP.
Concerning the tax pressure, there is a decrease for all pension levels, civil status and age due to the modification of the tax scale by increasing the tax brackets (5.4%) to take into account the inflation.
ISRP will inform the pensioners who have chosen the France pension tables accordingly.
New brochure available related to Medical care in the Netherlands
The Office has informed us that a new brochure, related to medical care in the Netherlands, drawn up in relation with Cigna, is available through the following link:
https://pensioners.epo.org/benefits/medical-care/cigna
10/07/2023 The brochure prepared by Cigna now appears to be not up to date. Members with questions on this matter can also send an email to secretary@epopens.eu
Reimbursement policy for costs related to COVID-19
Following the President’s decision of 7 April 2020, the internal reimbursement policy for medical expenses relating to coronavirus was temporarily extended to 100% for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The policy was effective as of 30 January 2020.
On 5 May 2023, the WHO declared the end of a public health emergency of international concern due to COVID-19. This implies that the reasons for this exceptional measure have become obsolete. As a result the Office, after discussing at the GCC SSPR, has decided to abolish this measure as of 1 July 2023.
Covid-19 related costs incurred as of 1 July 2023 will be reimbursed in accordance with the general reimbursement rules as specified in Circular 368 – Guide to Cover.
Celebrations of the 40 years of the Pensioners Association
As announced during the Association’s Annual General Meeting in April 2023, the Board has decided that instead of a single, centralised celebration, there will instead be a series of celebrations organised by each local section. By both staggering the events and providing a variety of venues in different countries, it should be possible for more members to participate in one (or more) of these celebrations providing ample opportunities to meet their former friends and colleagues in a festive environment.
To date, this is a provisional listing for the festivities planned by each of the local sections:
- Munich: a Gala Dinner on 4 November 2023
- Vienna: a lunchtime boat trip (with catering) in late summer (end-August to mid-October 2023)
- The Hague: a tour of the historical Tram Museum in The Hague followed by a buffet/dinner, in September 2023.
- Berlin: a Dinner in the Amicale room in the Office on 29 August 2023.
- Luxemburg: a Dinner or Lunch on 17 November 2023
- UK /RI: a Lunch in mid-September 2023
- Belgium: a Reception with lunch on 15 May 2023
This provisional listing will be up-dated as and when arrangements are confirmed by the sections. Then members will be invited to register to attend one or more events, thereby reserving their places.
For the latest information, keep an eye on the Webpage where all the relevant details will be found in due time.
Update on salary appeals. Test appeals for 2022. Internal appeals stage
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UPDATE: Investigation into Long Term Care in the Netherlands for family members of EPO pensioners
In the last few weeks the Association has been contacted by members who are seeking advice on how to follow up the letter they have received from the Netherlands Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB). The Association is in contact with the Office on this important topic.
Today the Office has informed us that Cigna will be sending an letter or email to all family members of EPO pensioners in The Netherlands. The text of the introduction to this letter or email is as follows:
“Further to the email messages below I herewith would like to inform you that on behalf of the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa), ONVZ has requested the SVB for an statement with the current Wlz (NL Law on Long Term Care) situation of all family members of retired EPO employees who have a Dutch basic insurance via the “EOB collectiviteit”.
The NZa has initiated this investigation because the Wlz situation of an insured can change over the years.”
NB All members who have received letters in which they are requested to telephone the SVB are STRONGLY ADVISED to do this without delay. Furthermore the very latest date for filing a complaint is mentioned in the letter you received.